Fuoco: And now for the rest of the 2018 softball story

Wednesday

Feb 14, 2018 at 6:35 PMFeb 14, 2018 at 6:35 PM

Roy Fuoco @royfuoco

The prep softball season is underway, and we featured George Jenkins ace Reagan More in the first part of the season preview. We also took a look at five other top players: Lake Region’s Brandice Boatwright, Lakeland Christian’s Abby Burton, Lake Gibson’s Brittany Blizzard, Bartow’s Ashton Owen and Mulberry’s Kylee Terwilliger.

And we highlighted five of the top teams: George Jenkins, Bartow, Lakeland Christian, Mulberry and Winter Haven. If you missed it, you still can read it online (http://bit.ly/2stGhAd).

So now let’s take quick rundown of the rest of the teams in Polk County.

All Saints: The Saints lose four starters and will be young with just one junior. The rest of the team is comprised of seven freshmen and five middle-schoolers. Junior Peyton Dunbar is the leader and has a big bat. Freshman pitcher Emily Allen and catcher Cheyenne Miller and eighth-grader Lindsey Sumner, a five-tool player, are other key players.

Auburndale: The Bloodhounds lose a middle-of-the-order bat in Catilyn Whitehead and both their starting pitchers, so developing new pitching will be key. The strength of the lineup and defense is the middle infield with shortstop Dez Maldonado and second baseman Tori Taylor.

Fort Meade: The Miners’ lineup took a big hit with the graduation of top hitters Keely Staats, Hamryn Harpe and Michaela Siler among the five players they lost. The lineup is not totally barren, as Najeh Jones, Peyton Music, Hope Elliott and Lacy Hicks all hit .350 or better. Karley Lopez and Hannah Williams, transfers from Bartow, and Karah Holt, a transfer from Lake Wales, should help fill holes.

Frostproof: McKenzye Bobb is a big loss, but look for the Bulldogs to take a big step forward. Sophomore transfer Ridley Harper will add depth to the pitching staff with Shelby Garrett. Seniors Whitney Spurlock, Pricilla Cruz and D’andra Wright are other key players. Sixth-grader Belle Mancillas is expected to be an impact player despite her youth.

Haines City: Other than senior Molly Camcaho, the rest of the key players are young, including sophomores Kylee Soots and Zaria Hill and freshman Kinsley Soots. Basketball coach Greg Pritchett takes over as head coach.

Kathleen: The Red Devils were 11-10 last year, one of their best seasons in years, but lost six key players. They will depend on Courtney Galbraith, the only senior, and Makayla Upshaw for pitching. Dakota Jovanov, Brianna Adams and Katelyn Atkinson are the key players in the lineup. They will depend heavily on seven players from last year’s JV squad.

Lake Gibson: The Braves should be in the playoff mix with Lake Region and Winter Haven. They return seven players, including junior pitcher Madison Edwards and first-team All-County selection Brittany Blizzard. The Braves will be bolstered by Payton Applewhite, a transfer from Kathleen.

Lake Region: The Thunder took a huge hit to graduation, losing pitching ace Mary Haff, all-around athlete Jordan Barnes, along with Maddy Johnson, Destiny King and Kaylin Rhone, who were all key hitters. First baseman Brandice Boatwright, a first-team All-County selection, is the top returning hitter along with shortstop Ciara Ford and Brooklyn Ayers. Junior Savannah Barnett will carry more of the pitching burden, and head coach John Bridges is expecting a lot from a trio of freshmen, third baseman Gina Gallegos and pitchers BreAsia Thomas and Kailee Fail.

Lake Wales: The Highlanders should be able to build on their district runner-up season. They lost pitcher Sylvia Welsh, but Zayla McBurrows came on strong last year. The lineup will be built around Savannah Starling, Melkayla Irvis, Destiny Cuevas and Kiki Morris.

McKeel: The Wildcats should be back in the hunt for a district title. The lineup will be built around Kelsey Peck, Brandy Barquin, Bre Shell and Charli Warren. Kaycee Torres finished strong and is expected to pick up where she left off, and Barquin provides pitching depth.

Ridge Community: The Bolts will build around two players who signed with Santa Fe Community College, shortstop Payton Pilon and catcher Baylie Ehrlich. Freshman Zoe Burden McLaughlin is expected to make an impact.

Santa Fe Catholic: Billy Dickerson is back as head coach and will try to rebuild the Crimson Hawks, who lost top player Ernie Murphy. They also will be without junior Hailey Kromer, a two-year starter at catcher who suffered a knee injury playing basketball. Kourtney Jones is the top returning hitter, and newcomer Janelle Aguire wil take over the pitching duties. Finding a catcher will be important.

Note: Lakeland and Tenoroc did not provide team information.

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